ECOLOGY AND STATE OF THE ALPINE GRASSLANDS OF WESTLAND

To write of tussock grasslands in Westland may seem a little strange when one usually associates tussock grassland with the mountain ranges, valleys and hills on the eastern side of the main divide. But tussock grasslands above the tree-line probably total 20% of the area of Westland. No pastoral use is made of this country. Apart from a few unsuccessful attempts to run sheep, both from the West Coast side and the Canterbury side in the 1890s no serious attempt at pastoral occupation has been made. Nevertheless,. these alpine grasslands are of extreme economic importance in watershed protection and they are as vulnerable as the forests to abuse by introduced wild animals.